Conservation area concerns prompt planning inspector to dismiss appeal for 26-homes scheme

                                                    

The illustration by S+SA Architects shows a pleasingly leafy developments with a wide road but the planning inspector thinks it would be out of character with the Humberston conservation area 

HUMBERSTON is not proving a happy hunting ground for Leeds-based property developer Cromsdale Estates.

Back in 2022, when it was known as NYC Estates, it sought planning consent to build 93 homes on agricultural land to the south of Church Lane in the village.

But its application was refused - first by North East Lincolnshire Council, then by an independent planning inspector.

Since April 2023, under its new name, the company has submitted a scaled-down proposal to build no more than 26 dwellings on the same land - but with the same outcome.

NELC again refused to grant consent - a decision which has again been upheld by an independent inspector.

At a meeting on Wednesday January 7, councillors will be presented with the report of the inspector, Paul Thompson, which outlines his reasons for dismissing the appeal.

It states: "The proposal would  result in highway safety and living condition harm, resulting from additional traffic associated with the proposed dwellings." 

The inspector states his further belief that such a development would be harmful to the wider conservation area which includes the Grade II Listed St Peter's Church.

                                                           

The tower at St Peter's Church is believed to date back more than 700 years

 

How thoughtful! Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn wishes all constituents a Happy 2026

                 

Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie has extended her New Year greetings to her constituents with this message on her Facebook page.

Jet fuel station owner Phillips 66 swoops for assets of Killingholme's stricken Lindsey Oil Refinery

                                                   

ENERGY giants Phillips 66 Ltd today announced that it acquired  the assets of Lindsey Oil Refinery following the liquidation last year of the Prax Group.

Key facilities at the Killingholme-based refinery will be "integrated into the Humber Refinery rather than restarting standalone operations."

Due to the limitations of its scale, facilities, and capabilities,the refinery is not deemed to be viable in current form.

It its announcement, Phillips said: "Investment will strengthen the Humber Refinery, boost domestic energy security, ensure continued supply of quality fuels to the UK and help secure UK jobs.

"Once completed, the acquisition and strategic investment will increase the company’s ability to supply the UK market from the Humber Refinery, boost UK energy security and support hundreds of well-paid, high-quality jobs through site operations and future investment. 

"When integrated with the Humber site, the storage and other infrastructure assets will enhance Humber Refinery operations, improve fuel supply to UK customers, and drive future growth opportunities for renewable and traditional fuels."

The statement continued:"We recognise and deeply sympathise with how difficult the closure of the site has been for the workforce and the local community. 

"This sale is the best way forward to secure jobs, bolster the local economy, and encourage investment in the region."

Phillips 66 Ltd is part of a multinational company with its headquarters in Houston, Texas.  Its portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses.

Locally, it also operates an oil storage complex at Tetney Lock, while UK-wide, it supports a network of more than 330 JET-branded independent dealer-owned and company-owned retail sites."

                                            

The storage terminal at Tetney Lock

The snow lay crisp and even. A very cold afternoon in Cleethorpes: January 3, 2026

                                                    

The country park

Curlew on Signhills Academy playing field

The golf course

                            

Redshank on the saltmarsh

Drake Pochard on the boating lake

The sea and the sky just before dusk

 

                                                                 

Solar canopy proposal for Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital

                                           

A big energy user, the hospital is keen to power itself from renewable sources wherever possible

A CAR park at Grimsby's Diana Princess of  Wales could soon be home to an expansive solar 'canopy'.

The  Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an assurance from North East Lincolnshire Council that it will have no planning objection to the installation which would be carried out by a Norwich-based firm, RenEnegy.

The Trust says energy generated would be for "consumption on site".

If successful, the project could lead in the not-too-distant future to further renewable energy schemes on the hospial estate as it  seeks to make itself self-sufficient in energy.

It is not known whether how many, if any, any parking spaces will be lost by this initial scheme. 

     

 

                

            

               

Decision day next week for controversial proposal to build 42 houses in leafy Grimsby-area village

Councillors will be recommended to approve the proposed development when they meet next Wednesday  

IT may prove to be  a disappointing start to 2026 for opponents of a proposed 42-housing development on the boundary of Waltham and Barnoldby-le-Beck.

A senior North East Lincolnshire Council planning officer is  recommending that councillors give the  green light to the scheme on  a 2.26-hectare greenfield site off Waltham Road.

There is opposition from many nearby residents as well from the parish councils in both Barnoldby-le-Beck and Waltham.

Broadly their objections are based on concerns about: 

* Traffic generation and impact on highway safety and amenity; 

* Impact on the 'gap' between Waltham and Barnoldby le Beck; 

* Lack of capacity within local services; 

* The scale and amount of development in the local area; 

* Impact on ecology and biodiversity; 

* Increased risk of flooding

The application is due to be determined at the NELC planning committee next Wednesday January 7 with a recommendation that it should be approved.

Government proposal to introduce identity cards has hit duff note with MP Melanie Onn

                                              

Melanie Onn - seeking reassurance

THE MP for Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Melanie Onn, has sounded words of caution on the Government's proposal to introduce identity cards.  

She told an end-of-year Commons debate: "There is a great deal of angst and concern around the proposal, and it is imperative that the concern is addressed.

"While I welcome initiatives to stop illegal working and workforce exploitation, I share some of those legitimate concerns, particularly around the cost of roll-out, the necessity of the legislation, and data security. 

"Trust is very fragile when it comes to digital systems.

"There needs to be certainty that any digital ID would come with the strongest safeguards, transparent oversight and guarantees that data cannot be misused or accessed without consent.

The MP continued: "However, I recognise that we are living in a digital age in which we all give up our personal data to corporations, both domestic and international, with barely a second thought, and without knowing what those who sit behind the corporations will do with our data or likeness."

The MP also sought  "reassurance" that any scheme would present value for money? 

She concluded: "The total cost of rolling out a national system would be significant.

"It is right that we understand how this compares with strengthening the forms of identification that we already have because they are plentiful."